WINDSOR, ONT. -- The first case of a COVID-19 variant in Chatham-Kent has been discovered.
Chatham-Kent Public Health says a man in his 50s tested positive for a gene mutation through routine testing.
Chatham-Kent medical officer of health Dr. David Colby says the man recently arrived in Canada and remains under federal quarantine.
“It is currently estimated that variants of concern are now approximately 5-10% of cases in Ontario and we expect to receive more of these cases,” says Colby. “The good news is that public health measures needed to control these new variants are no different.”
Officials say they are waiting for test results to identify the strain of the variant.
“The risk of transmission is low,” says Colby. “It’s never zero or we wouldn’t have anything to worry about, but we’re keeping a close eye on this and we’re also anticipating further testing that will determine which lineage this is from. Whether is from the British lineage or South African lineage.”
When it comes to bracing for a potential third wave, Colby says it’s much of the “same old same old” with preventative measures.
“The same kind of precautions apply. Avoid crowds, stay home, stay safe. Keep physical distance from people. Face covers and enhanced attention to hand washing.”
The health unit reminds people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by travelling only for essential reasons, avoiding groups of people, physically distancing 2 metres, wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and staying home and getting tested if they don’t feel well.
“Every case that we see of COVID means that these precautions have broken down somewhere,” says Colby. “This virus doesn’t have wings. It needs people to spread. So it’s really controlling the behaviour of people is the way to control this virus. That is especially true with a variant that may be more transmissible than the strain that we’re used to dealing with.”
The first case of a COVID-19 variant was reported in Windsor on Thursday.
